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THE most important room for buyers when inspecting a property is the kitchen; however male buyers find the living area more important, according to a survey by leading mortgage broker Loan Market.

The online poll, which asked home buyers and owners, "When inspecting a property, which room is the most important to you?", found that 49% of 612 respondents said the kitchen was most important followed by 38% saying the living area was.

However female and male respondents disagreed about which room was more important - 59% of female respondents choose the kitchen as their first choice while only 37% of males pointed to the kitchen, making it the second most popular option.

Female respondents found the living area far less important than males with only 24% naming it the key room for an inspection compared to 56% of males.

Loan Market Local home finance broker Carol King said these results shed some important insight into the real estate market as buying activity accelerates into autumn and as auction clearance rates continue their strong results.

"We're seeing a steady stream of confidence return to the real estate and home finance market and with lots of great stock on the market buyers are going to be very selective on the properties they inspect," she said.

Many buyers wouldn't necessarily be assessing a property on its existing fixtures and features, Mrs King said, but rather its scope for renovations and improvements.

"Often when a buyer shows interest in a property it's because of the potential they see in certain rooms of the house or unit. Today's buyers have become astute at assessing how much effort and additional money may be required to get the property to that point," she said.

Both males and females agreed the bedroom was the least important room at an open inspection.

Survey Results

"When inspecting a property, which room is the most important to you?"

Male Female Total

Bathroom 4% 12% 8%

Bedroom 4% 6% 5%

Kitchen 37% 59% 49%

Living Area 56% 24% 38%

For more on property, pick up your copy of Domain free in Saturday's Sunshine Coast Daily.